Conn. State Trooper Injured in Hit-and-Run Crash

Oct. 31, 2022

A Connecticut State Police trooper was merging onto a roadway shoulder to help with a crash in Stratford when he collided with an SUV that was traveling in reverse.

By Mike Mavredakis

Source Hartford Courant

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A Connecticut State Trooper was involved in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 95 in Stratford early Monday morning, according to the state police.

The trooper was driving south on I-95 toward a crash that happened near Exit 32 in Stratford just after 1 a.m. on Monday. The trooper tried to merge into the right shoulder to assist with the crash when he collided with a Nissan SUV driven by Jose Lopez Ortiz, 55, of Bridgeport.

Lopez Ortiz was reportedly driving in reverse on the right shoulder and hit the trooper. He then fled the scene and was stopped about a quarter mile away from the crash site, state police said.

The trooper complained of back, neck and shoulder pain after the crash and was transported to Bridgeport Hospital for treatment, state police said.

Lopez Ortiz was not injured in the crash and was placed under arrest.

He was found at fault for the crash and charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, operating a motor vehicle without a license, unsafe backing and failure to insure a private motor vehicle.

He was held in lieu of a $10,000 bond and was transported to Bridgeport Correctional Center.

He was scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Monday.

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